The global configuration and topology of the terrestrial magnetosphere for typical IMF conditions is simulated with a new 3D MHD model using adaptive mesh refinement (AMR), The paper briefly describes the main elements of the solution method and presents a steady-slate solution for nominal Parker-spiral IMF conditions, The simulated magnetic field topology in the magnetotail is in excellent agreement with the recent empirical model derived from four years of LMP 8 observations (Kaymaz and Siscoe, 1998). (C) 2000 COSPAR. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.